What happens when you take a public speaking class to Chinatown? Magic, apparently. I took my students out of the classroom and into the streets of KL for a real-world scavenger hunt — observing body language, making eye contact with strangers, and watching market vendors negotiate like pros. By the end, they were speaking with more confidence than I'd ever seen inside four walls. Turns out, the best classroom is the real world.

A seasoned American English teacher shares ten practical phrases every beginner should learn, drawn from years of teaching across the Middle East and Asia. Rather than focusing on grammar rules, she argues that the right phrases build confidence, prevent embarrassing mix-ups, and help students navigate real-life situations.